Grass Recommendations

I live in Uptown New Orleans have have about an 8’x30’ strip of grass between my patio and landscaping that gets a good amount of sunlight but not all at one time. Not a ton of shade trees except for a sugarberry in my neighbors yard. It was St. Aug when we moved in but I killed that by accident between overwatering (via irrigation system), dogs peeing, and in my ignorance supplementing nitrogen fertilizer as it started to die.

As winter set in I ripped up the remaining St. Aug and planted some perennial rye. It took fairly well, and I supplemented annual rye in problem areas. It never was completely lush and green but it worked fine.

I humbly come to the board for advice. As stated I have two larger dogs. One was raised in AZ and pees on the rocks in our landscaping, the other however pees like a fire hydrant in the grass.

What species should I consider planting this spring or before? I would like something a little softer like Bermuda but I’ve heard it’s temperamental with the dogs. Assuming sod over seeds and is there anything I can do ahead of time to help?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post. Cheers!